25th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration with North Carolina Museum of History goes virtual

The popular American Indian Heritage Celebration will take place virtually on November 20th and 21st, 2020.  

This is a free event.

From fancy dancing to pine-needle baskets . . . and so much more! Artists, performers, scholars, historians, and other representatives from North Carolina’s eight state-recognized tribes and four Urban Indian Organizations will share their skills, knowledge, and cultural heritage over two days of virtual events.

You’ll engage virtually with presenters in interactive live-streamed events and enjoy on-demand videos of performances, and more! Register for your virtual seat beginning September 21, and view performances, panel discussions, and demonstrations from the safety and comfort of your own home or classroom. Attendance to some free events is limited.

Festival Schedule

Register for all sessions here.

Friday, November 20, 2020
9:30-10:00 am

• Shelia Wilson, The Three Sisters: Shelia Wilson, a member of the Sappony tribe, is a filmmaker whose Sappony Quilts: Covers of Love explores her tribe’s quilting traditions. Shelia is knowledgeable about indigenous cooking, fishing, farming, and singing.
• Jessica Dingle, Artist—Painting and Jewelry Design: Jessica Dingle, a member of the Waccamaw Siouan tribe, creates authentic Indian-made art in painting and jewelry design.
• Gwen Locklear, Storyteller: Gwen Locklear, a member of the Lumbee Tribe, is an educator and gifted storyteller, sharing traditional folktales that resonate today.
• Music and Dancing: Enjoy performances by North Carolina American Indians, with Stoney Creek and Southern Sun Drum Groups, and dances including Men’s Grass, Women’s Jingle, Men and Women’s Traditional, Women and Men’s Fancy, and Eastern Woodland.
• Prerecorded Videos from North Carolina Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

10:15-10:45 am

• Shelia Wilson, The Three Sisters: Shelia Wilson, a member of the Sappony tribe, is a filmmaker whose Sappony Quilts: Covers of Love explores her tribe’s quilting traditions. Shelia is knowledgeable about indigenous cooking, fishing, farming, and singing.
• Jessica Dingle, Artist—Painting and Jewelry Design: Jessica Dingle, a member of the Waccamaw Siouan tribe, creates authentic Indian-made art in painting and jewelry design.
• Gwen Locklear, Storyteller: Gwen Locklear, a member of the Lumbee Tribe, is an educator and gifted storyteller, sharing traditional folktales that resonate today.
• Sharon Berrun, Regalia Artist—Past and Present: Sharon Berrun, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, creates regalia that honors tradition, while exploring contemporary materials. She explains what regalia is—and–is not.
• Music and Dancing: Enjoy performances by North Carolina American Indians, with Stoney Creek and Southern Sun Drum Groups, and dances including Men’s Grass, Women’s Jingle, Men and Women’s Traditional, Women and Men’s Fancy, and Eastern Woodland.
• Prerecorded Videos from North Carolina Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

11:00 to 11:30 am

• Dr. Marvin Richardson, Tutelo Language Lesson: Dr. Richardson is the project director for the Haliwa-Saponi Historic Legacy Project. He learns—and teaches Tutelo-Saponi, which is part of the Siouan language spoken by American Indians in central and eastern North Carolina centuries ago.
• Sharon Berrun, Regalia Artist—Past and Present: Sharon Berrun, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, creates regalia that honors tradition, while exploring contemporary materials. She explains what regalia is—and–is not.
• Music and Dancing: Enjoy performances by North Carolina American Indians, with Stoney Creek and Southern Sun Drum Groups, and dances including Men’s Grass, Women’s Jingle, Men and Women’s Traditional, Women and Men’s Fancy, and Eastern Woodland.
• Prerecorded Videos from North Carolina Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

11:45 am to 12:15 pm

• Rex Harris, Artist and Flintknapper: Rex Harris, a member of the Haliwa Saponi tribe, will display and demonstrate flintknapping. He is known throughout the state for his weapon-making skills.
• James Malcolm, Artist, Pinecone Patchwork: James Malcolm, a member of the Lumbee Tribe, demonstrates pinecone patchwork, which represents both contemporary Lumbee as well as honors generations that have come before. Using special paper, fabrics, and other textiles, he creates inspirational art.
• Dr. Marvin Richardson, Tutelo Language Lesson: Dr. Richardson is the project director for the Haliwa-Saponi Historic Legacy Project. He learns—and teaches Tutelo-Saponi, which is part of the Siouan language spoken by American Indians in central and eastern North Carolina centuries ago.
• Music and Dancing: Enjoy performances by North Carolina American Indians, with Stoney Creek and Southern Sun Drum Groups, and dances including Men’s Grass, Women’s Jingle, Men and Women’s Traditional, Women and Men’s Fancy, and Eastern Woodland.
• Prerecorded Videos from North Carolina Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

12:30 to 1:00 pm

• Rex Harris, Artist and Flintknapper: Rex Harris, a member of the Haliwa Saponi tribe, will display and demonstrate flintknapping. He is known throughout the state for his weapon-making skills.
• James Malcolm, Artist, Pinecone Patchwork: James Malcolm, a member of the Lumbee Tribe, demonstrates pinecone patchwork, which represents both contemporary Lumbee as well as honors generations that have come before. Using special paper, fabrics, and other textiles, he creates inspirational art.
• Freeman Owle, Artist and Cherokee Language Lesson: Freeman Owle, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is a wood carver, stone carver, storyteller, and educator. He frequently presents on Cherokee culture and language.
• Patrick Suarez, Regalia and Dance: Patrick Suarez, a member of the Meherrin Tribe, is a well-known smoke dancer who understands the meaning and significance of regalia for native peoples.
• Music and Dancing: Enjoy performances by North Carolina American Indians, with Stoney Creek and Southern Sun Drum Groups, and dances including Men’s Grass, Women’s Jingle, Men and Women’s Traditional, Women and Men’s Fancy, and Eastern Woodland.
• Prerecorded Videos from North Carolina Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

1:15-1:45 pm

• Freeman Owle, Artist and Cherokee Language Lesson: Freeman Owle, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is a wood carver, stone carver, storyteller, and educator. He frequently presents on Cherokee culture and language.
• Patrick Suarez, Regalia and Dance: Patrick Suarez, a member of the Meherrin Tribe, is a well-known smoke dancer who understands the meaning and significance of regalia for native peoples.
• Music and Dancing: Enjoy performances by North Carolina American Indians, with Stoney Creek and Southern Sun Drum Groups, and dances including Men’s Grass, Women’s Jingle, Men and Women’s Traditional, Women and Men’s Fancy, and Eastern Woodland.
• Prerecorded Videos from North Carolina Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

2:00 to 2:30 pm

• Dr. Jane Haladay, Honoring Native Foodways: Dr. Haladay, a Professor of American Indian Studies at UNC Pembroke, explores how the changes to indigenous food systems during colonization worked to erode indigenous cultural knowledge and health. For over ten years, Dr. Haladay has organized the Honoring Native Foodways event with the UNC Pembroke community to honor, understand, and sample healthy foods that are indigenous to the Americas.
• Senora Lynch, Artist, Potter: Senora Lynch, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe, is well known for her handmade pottery which is made using the tradition of hand-coiling white and red clay. She etches designs into each piece’s surface, creating unique works of art that connect past and present.
• Nola Teesatuskie and Jarrett Wildcatt, Storytellers: Nola Teesatuskie and Jarrett Wildcatt, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, are Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialists from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and frequently present on the culture, traditions, history, and stories of the Cherokee people.
• Ernest “Beaver” Grant, Artist, bandolier: Mr. Grant, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a gifted artist, working in Southeastern Designs of beading on Bandolier and other items. A member of the well-known American Indian Dancer Theater, Mr. Grant is experienced in sharing the culture and traditions of the Cherokee.
• Music and Dancing: Enjoy performances by North Carolina American Indians, with Stoney Creek and Southern Sun Drum Groups, and dances including Men’s Grass, Women’s Jingle, Men and Women’s Traditional, Women and Men’s Fancy, and Eastern Woodland.
• Prerecorded Videos from North Carolina Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

2:45-3:15 pm

• Dr. Jane Haladay, Honoring Native Foodways: Dr. Haladay, Professor of American Indian Studies at UNC Pembroke, explores how the changes to indigenous food systems during colonization worked to erode indigenous cultural knowledge and health. As these practices are revitalized, Dr. Haladay teaches, explores, and practices Native Foodways.
• Senora Lynch, Artist, Potter: Senora Lynch, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe, is well known for her handmade pottery which is made using the tradition of hand-coiling white and red clay. She etches designs into each piece’s surface, creating unique works of art that connect past and present.
• Nola Teesatuskie and Jarrett Wildcatt, Storytellers: Nola Teesatuskie and Jarrett Wildcatt, members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, are Atsila Anotasgi Cultural Specialists from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian and frequently present on the culture, traditions, history, and stories of the Cherokee people.
• Ernest “Beaver” Grant, Artist, bandolier: Mr. Grant, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a gifted artist, working in Southeastern Designs of beading on Bandolier and other items. A member of the well-known American Indian Dancer Theater, Mr. Grant is experienced in sharing the culture and traditions of the Cherokee.
• Music and Dancing: Enjoy performances by North Carolina American Indians, with Stoney Creek and Southern Sun Drum Groups, and dances including Men’s Grass, Women’s Jingle, Men and Women’s Traditional, Women and Men’s Fancy, and Eastern Woodland.

Saturday, November 21, 2020
11:30 am to 12:15 pm

• Dr. Tracie Locklear-Beasley, Elderberry Syrup: Dr. Locklear- Beasley, a Research Assistant Professor at North Carolina Central University and Lumbee/Coharie, is both a pharmacognosist and a chemist of natural products. She works to assist communities seeking to re-establish healthy food traditions. Dr. Locklear-Beasley demonstrates how to make elderberry syrup; whose healing properties were known by indigenous peoples years ago.
• Julian Hunter, Artist, Wampum and Jewelry: Julian Hunter, a member of the Meherrin Tribe is an experienced artisan, working in jewelry and wampum–a traditional shell bead, often made from whelk shells and from hard-shelled clams.
• Panel: Water is Life: Environmental Issues and Native Communities: Join a discussion of North Carolina environmental topics and their effects on Native communities. Learn how American Indians in our state are responding to and working to mitigate negative environmental outcomes.
• Brian Lynch, Artist, Silverwork and Jewelry: Mr. Lynch is a member of the Haliwa Saponi Tribe and is a well-known silversmith worker and jewelry artist. His original works encompasses wampum, turquoise, and other natural materials.
• Prerecorded Videos of North Carolina American Indian music and dance performances, Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

12:30 to 1:15 pm

• Dr. Tracie Locklear-Beasley, Elderberry Syrup: Dr. Locklear- Beasley, a Research Assistant Professor at North Carolina Central University, and Lumbee/Coharie, is both a pharmacognosist and a chemist of natural products. She works to assist communities seeking to re-establish healthy food traditions. Dr. Locklear-Beasley demonstrates how to make elderberry syrup; whose healing properties were known by indigenous peoples years ago.
• Jamie Locklear, Artist, Pine Needle Basketry: Mr. Locklear, a member of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe, shares how pine needles, found throughout the state, can be used to create beautiful and functional baskets, and more. His outstanding artistry is demonstrated in his work.
• Panel Discussion: Serving American Indian College Students During a Pandemic.: Join the conversation to learn more about how COVID-19 is affecting Native college students from three North Carolina Universities and how student centers are supporting them.
• Vivette Jeffries-Logan, Healing Talking Circle: Ms. Jeffries-Logan, a member of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation and Founder and Principal of Biwa Consulting, has worked for many years in efforts to both dismantle systemic racism and to promote optimal health, based on the indigenous understanding of the four quadrants of “self,” mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional. Ms. Jeffries-Logan is also the Founding Director of the OBSN Tribal Health Circle.
• Prerecorded Videos of North Carolina American Indian music and dance performances, Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

1:30 to 2:15 pm

• Author Talk: #OwnVoices: American Indian Youth Literature Award Winners.: Join us for a virtual conversation with two of the winning authors of the American Indian Library Association’s 2020 American Indian Youth Literature Award, Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) and Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek). Moderator Mandy Suhr-Sytsma is a senior lecturer in English Dept of Emory University and the author of Self-Determined Stories: The Indigenous Reinvention of Young Adult Literature.
• Vivette Jeffries-Logan, Healing Talking Circle: Ms. Jeffries-Logan, a member of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation and Founder and Principal of Biwa Consulting, has worked for many years in efforts to both dismantle systemic racism and to promote optimal health, based on the indigenous understanding of the four quadrants of “self,” mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional. Ms. Jeffries-Logan is also the Founding Director of the OBSN Tribal Health Circle.
• Prerecorded Videos of North Carolina American Indian music and dance performances, Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

2:30 to 3:15 pm

• Darlene Graham, Dyeing Fabric with Foods: Ms. Graham, a member of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe, is an educator and artist, knowledgeable in traditional foodways as well as other uses of plants. She demonstrates how to dye fabric, using foods.
• Sharn Jeffries, Contemporary Parallels to Traditional Ways: Mr. Jeffries, a member of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, works to continue the traditions of his tribe and recognizes parallels of these long-held ways with current renaissance of organic and free-range farming, heirloom varieties, and use of communal spaces. He knows how to build, trap, and hunt in traditional means.
• Kay Richardson Oxendine, Pow-wows in North Carolina: Ms. Oxendine, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, is the author of The Pow-wow Pocket Guide: Everything You Wanted to Know When Visiting a Pow-wow But Were Afraid to Ask. She is widely published in magazines and newspapers across the country and is currently a writer for the Phoenix Tribune.
• Prerecorded Videos of North Carolina American Indian music and dance performances, Tribal Communities and more—coming soon!

3:30 to 4:15 pm

• Darlene Graham, Dyeing Fabrics with Food: Ms. Graham, a member of the Waccamaw Siouan Tribe, is an educator and artist, knowledgeable in traditional foodways as well as other uses of plants. She demonstrates how to dye fabric, using foods.
• Sharn Jeffries, Contemporary Parallels to Traditional Ways: Mr. Jeffries, a member of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, works to continue the traditions of his tribe and recognizes parallels of these long-held ways with current renaissance of organic and free-range farming, heirloom varieties, and use of communal spaces. He knows how to build, trap, and hunt in traditional means.
• Panel Discussion: Climate Resilience in Tribal Communities: Join us for a conversation relating to this collaboration between the NC Commission of Indian Affairs and the NC Department of Environmental Quality. The joint effort supports tribal communities in considering opportunities and strategies for increased resilience to climate change.
• Kay Richardson Oxendine, Pow-wows in North Carolina: Ms. Oxendine, a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, is the author of The Pow-wow Pocket Guide: Everything You Wanted to Know When Visiting a Pow-wow But Were Afraid to Ask. She is widely published in magazines and newspapers across the country and is currently a writer for the Phoenix Tribune.

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